Who:Relevant for prescribers, clinical staff, and pharmacists in outpatient medical clinics, emergency departments, and dental clinics. Administrators and those involved in patient engagement and quality improvement are also welcome to attend.

New publication focuses on fluoroquinolone use

In a new publication, CDC antibiotic stewardship experts report that 5% of all fluoroquinolones prescribed for adults in doctor’s offices and emergency departments are unnecessary, and about 20% of all fluoroquinolone prescriptions in these settings are not recommended first-line treatment.

Fluoroquinolones are associated with adverse events, such as musculoskeletal and nervous system damage and rising rates of fluoroquinolone resistance.

Inappropriate prescribing of fluoroquinolones is common and occurs in situations when antibiotics are and are not indicated.

Reflective of the unique realities that characterize a diverse multispecies profession, American Veterinary Medical Association has released a definition of "antimicrobial stewardship"and has identified stewardship core principles.

Acinetobacterspp.isolated from healthy canine skin

In a paper published in Veterinary Dermatology, researchers confirm the ability ofAcinetobacterspp.,includingA. baumannii,to survive on canine skin.

With growing resistance globally in humanAcinetobacterisolates, awareness ofthis pathogen as a cause of canine infection should be heightened, and emphasis should continue to be placed on routine use of culture and susceptibility testing in companion animal medicine.

Also evident from this study is the potential for canines to become carriers ofAcinetobacterwhen in the care of infected owners or when employed in healthcare-based pet therapy.

World Health Organization releases first global report on antimicrobial resistance in healthcare

With over 50 countries enrolled in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS), we are one step closer to understanding the global problem of antimicrobial resistance.

Resistance of common bacteria to important antibiotics varied significantly by country, highlighting the need for robust national surveillance systems.

Request for proposals:Institute for Antimicrobial ResistanceResearch and Education

Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) havereleased a request for proposals to establish an Institute for Antimicrobial ResistanceResearch and Education.

CDC Online Antibiotic Stewardship Training

CDC has launched the first of a four-section web-based training course on Antibiotic Stewardship.

Doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified health education specialists, nurses, pharmacists, and public health practitioners with a master’s degree in public healthare eligible to receive up to eight hours of free CE for the entire course.

Rising rates of fluoroquinolone resistance and adverse effects on individual patients have ensured the increased scrutiny of fluoroquinolones in all health disciplines. Fluoroquinolones are effective against a range of Gram-negative organisms and some Gram-positive aerobes, including intracellular pathogens.

See above for news of a new publication about fluoroquinolone overprescribing in outpatient healthcare settings.

Curious about fluoroquinolone resistance in Minnesota? Have a look at theState Antibiogramdeveloped annually by the Minnesota Department of Health.